Does it really matter why it's called a quadrupel? All one needs to remember is that quadrupels are strong,
and strong is not an easy accomplishment. Prearis Quadrupel proves that Vliegende Paard
Brewers knows how to do it.

Avg price/liter: USD 12.00

ABV %: 10.0

Type: Quadrupel

Prearis Quadrupel was the
beer which put its brewer, Vliegende Paard Brewers, on the
map (of teeny tiny Belgium, but still), when it was crowned
best home-brewed craft beer for the country in 2011.

I don't have a wealth of
experience drinking quadrupels, historically Trappist
monastery brewed beers made extra strong. In fact, I
didn't even know they existed until about a month ago.
Where quadrupel got its name is subject to some debate.
A sensible theory is that, back in medieval times when most
people were illiterate, the beers were marked for strength
with an X. A single X meant a light alcohol beverages;
two X's meant double the strength; and so on. The
Master Brewers Association of the Americas provides a more
technical explanation. During the mashing process,
each subsequent running of wort has diminishing fermentable
sugar contents. The last running has the least; the
next-to-last has double the last; the one before that,
triple the last.

Does it really matter why
it's called a quadrupel? All one needs to remember
is that a quadrupel is strong, with at least 10% alcohol
content.

And strong is not an easy accomplishment. Anyone can make a beer oozing with alcohol. How many brewers
can make the alcohol blend beautifully with the rest of the beer?

Prearis Quadrupel proves that Vliegende Paard
Brewers knows how. "What a maturity for a craft
brewer," one of the judges commented after Vliegende took
home the 2011 crown and, thereafter, felt motivated to
compete in the international beer markets.

Expensive it may be, but so
what? Drink two of these to one of your usual watery
5% lagers, and you'll end up equally as drunk.